Why are we allowed to alert on our own posts?

[Gormy Cuss]

Apparently at least one DU has done so while trying to demonstrate that s/he could rig the jury vote. SkipIntro also claims that s/he never meant to send the alert.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1240&pid=193264

One of my friends and I were at the computer, and I was on DU. After posting the OP for this thread, which I stand behind 100%, I explained to my friend next to me that it would probably be alerted on and that I should alert on it first to prevent it being hidden by a jury who might hide it because it was my thread. I wasn't really going to do that, I never have, but it did cross my mind.

As I was explaining how the jury system works, I clicked on the alert button for my OP and typed in some stupid gibberish. A few seconds later my friend grabbed the mouse and clicked send alert. He thought it was cute. I didn't. But it was done and I was fairly tight, so I just let it ride and we moved on with the night. It was a dumb and drunken thing to happen. It should have never been sent. I'm sorry that it was. But it was, and, well, you can't unring a bell.

It got me thinking though. In what circumstance would we ever have a legitimate reason to alert on ourselves? Is it possible to game the jury system in the way SkipIntro suggested?

[liberal N proud]

1. Didn't know the Turtle was here

Referring to McConnell's self filibuster.